Reese Witherspoon

Oscar and Golden Globe-winning actress Reese Witherspoon made her mark as a smart, driven and self-respecting actress who refused to take the easy road to stardom with mindless teen flicks and broad c...
Read More...

The actress plays a circus performer who must learn a routine with the elephant, and, to prepare for the role, she spent weeks climbing onto the beast.
And Witherspoon insists the experience was unforgettable.
She tells Britain's Total Film magazine, "It was one of the best experiences of my career. I worked with her for three months, just training. I had to get in shape - I had no harnesses, no safety equipment, nothing. It was literally just me and the elephant and I had to climb onto her.
"She's 10 feet tall and over 9,000 pounds and it was this exercise in trust. It's a really beautiful thing where you learn to communicate with a creature non-verbally."
And Witherspoon admits she's delighted the take second billing to the animal: "She's the big star of the movie."

Seyfried, who previously dated her Mamma Mia! co-star Dominic Cooper, was first linked to Reese Witherspoon's ex-husband in October (10) after they met at Kate Hudson's Halloween party.
They were caught Christmas shopping together in Hollywood before the holidays (Dec10) and now the new couple has been snapped in a loving embracing during a break on the Los Angeles set of the upcoming sci-fi film.
The photo, taken earlier this week (begs03Jan11) and published on Usmagazine.com, shows the stars smiling and cuddling with Seyfried still in costume, donning a cropped red wig for her role opposite co-star Justin Timberlake.
The pictures emerge a week after Phillippe congratulated Witherspoon on the news of her engagement to Hollywood agent Jim Toth.
The Cruel Intentions co-stars divorced in 2007.

As much as I hate to admit it, Robert Pattinson is a smart guy. He's effectively leveraging his status as the object of millions of young girls' affections to grab better roles in projects with better filmmakers. After getting to work with accomplished TV director Allen Coulter on Remember Me, he segued into period drama with the forthcoming Water For Elephants, opposite Oscar winner's Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz. He's now on tap to star in director David Cronenberg's new film Cosmopolis, another interesting turn for Hollywood's young heartthrob.
Even more interesting is the fact that he's replacing Colin Farrell, an actor with much more credibility and known ability, in the lead role. The fact that he was even considered to fill Farrell's shoes is a vote of confidence from Cronenberg and a possible sign of things to come. In Cosmopolis, Pattinson will play Eric Packer, a wealthy financial wunderkind who risks his entire fortune as he runs the gauntlet in a futuristic Manhattan. His deeds make him the target of an assassination plot in a drama that is said to be a study of capitalism.
Cronenberg adapted Don DeLillo's novel and will produce and direct the film, which is also attracting top-tier talent for its supporting roles. Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard and nominee Paul Giamatti are said to be circling roles; the former could play Pattinson's wife. There's no word on when production would start, as Pattinson still has work to be done on the final Twilight films and Cronenberg is editing A Dangerous Method. My only hope is that the filmmaker finds a role for his current muse Viggo Mortensen; he could only add good things to this promising project.
Source: Deadline

The Legally Blonde star, who began dating Toth at the beginning of 2010 shortly after her split from Jake Gyllenhaal, announced last month (Dec10) she is set to walk down the aisle with the showbiz agent.
Subsequent U.S. reports suggested Witherspoon is also pregnant, but the actress' spokesperson has shot down the claims, telling GossipCop.com the story is "not at all true".

July
Love was in the air in July as a host of celebrities walked down the aisle - Spanish stars Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem tied the knot in the Bahamas, while Emily Blunt became Mrs. John Krasinski after marrying The Office star in romantic Como, Italy.
A pregnant Alicia Keys said 'I do' to Swizz Beatz, while Orlando Bloom and Australian model Miranda Kerr became husband and wife in a secret ceremony. Wedding bells also rang in Georgia as country sweetheart Carrie Underwood married her hockey hunk, Mike Fisher.
But there was also plenty of heartache in Hollywood - Kelly Osbourne called off her engagement to model Luke Worrall over allegations he had cheated on her, and Frasier star Kelsey Grammer's wife filed for divorce after almost 13 years of marriage. R&amp;B singer Christina Milian picked July to announce she was splitting from her producer husband The-Dream - less than a year after the couple wed in Las Vegas.
Celebrations were in order for Christina Applegate after she revealed she was pregnant with her first child, while Vince Vaughn, Zac Hanson, Ugly Betty star Becki Newton and Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor also announced they were expecting babies with their respective partners.
Director Sam Taylor-Wood and Aaron Johnson became the proud parents of a baby girl - their first child together - while Australian pop star Dannii Minogue welcomed baby boy Ethan with her partner Kris Smith.
But July was not without scandal - Paris Hilton was questioned by authorities at the World Cup soccer tournament in South Africa over allegations she was smoking pot. Just two weeks later, she was held by police in France after she was allegedly caught carrying cannabis in her handbag.
The heiress' former pal Lindsay Lohan also hit headlines for all the wrong reasons - just days after turning 24, she was ordered to spend 90 days in jail for violating the terms of her probation stemming from a 2007 DUI arrest.
Former Wham! star George Michael also had a run-in with the law - he was arrested after driving his car into a shop in London, and Foxy Brown was also taken into custody after allegedly violating a protective order.
Meanwhile, Rosemary's Baby director Roman Polanski was freed from house arrest after officials in Switzerland threw out a request to extradite him to the U.S. for sentencing on a child-sex charge.
Mel Gibson's marital woes continued into July - Los Angeles police launched an official investigation amid claims the Braveheart star punched his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva during a heated altercation. It came after the leaking of a series of audio recordings in which a man said to be Gibson unleashes a series of foul-mouthed rants at his ex.
There was a health scare for British singer Cheryl Cole as she was diagnosed with malaria after collapsing at a photoshoot, while movie legends Tony Curtis and Zsa Zsa Gabor were also hospitalised. Pink was rushed to the emergency room after a stage stunt went wrong, sending the pop punk flying into a metal barrier during a concert in Germany.
Courtroom battles loomed for bad boy actor David Boreanaz, who was slapped with a sexual harassment lawsuit from a former extra on his hit TV show Bones, and Casey Affleck, who was sued by a producer of his movie I'm Still Here over sexual harassment allegations.
August
There were festival dramas aplenty in August, with The Libertines and Guns N' Roses dominating headlines at Britain's Reading and Leeds weekenders. Pete Doherty's group reunited earlier this year (10) and played sets at the festivals - but their performances were blighted when overeager fans got crushed and trampled during the frenetic gigs, forcing the rockers off the stage to allow the revellers chance to recover. Axl Rose sparked an ongoing war-of-words with event boss Melvin Benn after he decided to shut the sound off when the band overran its curfew.
Further drama occurred in August when Naomi Campbell took to the stand in The Hague, Netherlands to testify at the war crimes trial of ex-Liberian President Charles Taylor, socialite Paris Hilton was arrested for cocaine possession in Las Vegas, and Charlie Sheen pleaded guilty to a charge of misdemeanour assault relating to a Christmas Day (25Dec09) fight with now-estranged wife Brooke Mueller. The Two And A Half Men actor was sentenced to 30 days in jail, but served time in rehab instead.
Another star seeking help for her personal issues was Lindsay Lohan. The Mean Girls actress walked free from prison before the end of her sentence for violating her probation relating to a 2007 DUI arrest, and immediately entered rehab - only to leave the health centre early as well.
Lohan's woes weren't the only ones in Hollywood - Zsa Zsa Gabor was in and out of hospital due to complications stemming from her summer accident which resulted in several bone fractures, while Aretha Franklin broke her ribs in a freak fall, prompting her to cancel a string of shows.
However, the biggest health shock of the month was the revelation that Michael Douglas had been diagnosed with a throat tumour. The Wall Street legend began radiation and chemotherapy shortly before going public with his battle and helped raise awareness of the disease by appearing on America's Stand Up 2 Cancer TV special to urge fans to raise cash for research.
There was happier health news for many in the public eye in August - Miranda Kerr, Penny Lancaster and Alanis Morissette all announced their pregnancies, while British Prime Minister David Cameron became a father again when his wife Samantha gave birth to their fourth child, Florence, while they were holidaying in Cornwall, south-west England.
Wedding bells were also chiming, with Hilary Duff walking down the aisle to marry ice hockey star Mike Comrie, veteran singer Julio Iglesias exchanging vows with his longtime girlfriend, and James Van Der Beek cementing his union with his then-pregnant girlfriend Kimberly Brook - they've since welcomed baby Olivia.
September
Lady Gaga was the big winner and talking point at the MTV Video Music Awards this month - she picked up eight accolades and stunned everyone by taking to the stage in a meat dress. Meanwhile, Penelope Cruz confirmed the news she was pregnant with Javier Bardem's baby, and Angelina Jolie - who visited flood-ravaged Pakistan - was named Best Celebrity Role Model in an online poll.
George Michael began his eight-week prison sentence in London after being found guilty of cannabis possession and driving under the influence of drugs, and Guns N' Roses were booed and bottled offstage in Ireland after making fans wait for their performance.
Smashing Pumpkins star Billy Corgan confirmed reports he was dating Aussie pop star Jessica Origliasso, and the Charlatans axed U.S. shows after Jon Brookes collapsed onstage during a concert in Pennsylvania. He was later diagnosed with a brain tumour..
Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen welcomed their second child, John Lennon's killer Mark Chapman was denied parole for a sixth time, and Sofia Coppola picked up the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival amid a storm of controversy - her ex-boyfriend, Quentin Tarantino, led the jury!
Meanwhile, Take That bandmates Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow performed together for the first time in 15 years at a benefit for injured British soldiers, but Duff McKagan quit Jane's Addiction after five months and just three gigs.
The Troggs star Reg Presley suffered a stroke while holidaying in Spain and country music duo Brooks &amp; Dunn split after an emotional night at a Nashville charity gig.
Elsewhere, T.I. and his wife were arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of drug possession, UB40 star Ali Campbell was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr Syndrome, and Leonardo DiCaprio won a three-year restraining order against a woman claiming to be his wife.
Johnny Depp was named the highest paid actor by Forbes magazine, Britney Spears' one-time minder, Fernando Flores, filed suit against the pop star, claiming she had sexually harassed him and exposed herself in front of him, and The xx picked up Britain's prestigious Mercury Music Prize.
Eddie Vedder, Johnny Knoxville and David Essex wed - not to each other - and R&amp;B star Lyfe Jennings was jailed for three and a half years over a violent altercation with his former girlfriend.
Meanwhile, James Gandolfini was caught driving on a suspended licence, Paris Hilton was refused entry to Japan; Kings of Leon star Caleb Followill and hot model Lily Aldridge announced their engagement, and actor Randy Quaid and his wife were arrested and charged with burglary amid allegations they had been illegally squatting in the house they once called home.
Actor Shelley Malil was convicted of attempted murder, Wyclef Jean announced he'd be running for presidential office in Haiti again in 2015 after his 2010 bid was dismissed, and comedian Greg Giraldo died in hospital after suffering an accidental drug overdose. Lindsay Lohan returned to rehab, David Beckham's lawyers served a writ to a hooker who claimed she'd slept with the soccer stud, and Heart rocker Nancy Wilson filed for divorce from moviemaker Cameron Crowe.
There was baby news for Mario Lopez, actresses Jodie Sweetin and Danica McKellar, actor James Van Der Beek, Rascal Flatts star Joe Don Rooney and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.
ELO star Mike Edwards was killed in a freak accident, while veteran actors Harold Gould, Gloria Stuart and Kevin McCarthy also passed away along with legendary French director Claude Chabrol and filmmakers Arthur Penn and Clive Donner.
Other deaths included that of former boy band star Rich Cronin, who passed away after a stroke, aged 35, and Hollywood lost true legends in Eddie Fisher and Tony Curtis.
October
Celebrity break-ups were big news in October with a number of high-profile couples calling time on their relationship. Courteney Cox and David Arquette stunned the world by announcing they were taking a break from their 11-year marriage, and just days later singer Christina Aguilera confirmed her split from husband Jordan Bratman. Ben Harper and Laura Dern also filed for divorce after 10 years together.
But October also saw an influx of celebrity weddings - Katy Perry and Russell Brand sealed their love in a lavish Indian ceremony, and both Paul Weller and David Schwimmer hit the news when it emerged they had married their girlfriends in secret earlier in the year.
There was also plenty of baby news - Mariah Carey confirmed she is expecting her first child with husband Nick Cannon after months of speculation, while Celine Dion put the heartache of fertility treatment behind her to become a mum to twin boys. Hip-hop supercouple Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz welcomed a baby boy named Egypt and Neil Patrick Harris became father to twins born via a surrogate.
Britain was in mourning following the loss of comedy legend Norman Wisdom, who passed away at the age of 95, while the world of music was rocked by the death of legendary soul singer Solomon Burke after he collapsed at an airport in Amsterdam, Holland. The death of soprano Joan Sutherland in Switzerland at the age of 83 prompted an outpouring of grief in her native Australia, and The Slits star Ari Up lost her battle with cancer at the age of 48.
The scandal of the month came courtesy of Charlie Sheen, who hit headlines when cops were called to his trashed suite at a New York City hotel during a night with a young model/actress. The star's reps blamed his meltdown on "an adverse reaction to medication". It was also a bad month for Mel Gibson - his personal problems with ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva cost him a role in The Hangover sequel, while Taylor Swift was hit with a multi-million dollar lawsuit from a former manager. But the country star made up for it by embarking on a new romance with Hollywood hunk Jake Gyllenhaal.
There were also plenty of stars keeping the prison service busy - rapper T.I. was sent back to jail for breaching his probation while Lindsay Lohan escaped her second potential prison sentence of 2010 when a judge ordered her to spend three months in rehab instead. Careless driver George Michael regained his freedom after completing 27 days of his eight-week jail sentence.
November
The royal news of the year was the talk of the month as Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement and plans to wed in 2011
Teen star Demi Lovato stunned young Hollywood when she quite the Jonas Brothers tour and checked into rehab to address personal and "emotional" issues, and Charlie Sheen and Lil Wayne officially became free men again - the actor's divorce from Brooke Mueller became official, while rapper Wayne was released from prison.
MGM, the studio behind the James Bond film franchise, filed for bankruptcy, actor Justin Long was injured in a car crash, and soul queen Aretha Franklin pulled out of a series of shows to undergo surgery.
Spice Girls star Emma Bunton and Pink announced they were pregnant, Lady Gaga was the big winner at the European Music Awards, and Rachel Weisz and moviemaker Darren Aronofsky split.
The Munsters child star Butch Patrick entered rehab to tackle substance abuse and alcohol issues, Wesley Snipes was ordered to jail after losing his bid for a retrial in his tax case, Audrina Patridge's stalker was jailed for two years when he failed to stay away from the star, and country singer Eddie Montgomery was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Meanwhile, Ryan Reynolds was named Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine, Eva Longoria split from her husband Tony Parker amid reports he had been cheating on her, Kate Winslet split from boyfriend Louis Dowler, and Hollywood was stunned when top publicist Ronni Chasen was shot dead while driving through Beverly Hills .
In music news, Take That's Progress became Britain's fastest selling album of the century so far, Radiohead's Thom Yorke helped mastermind a piece of human art that could be seen from space, Miley Cyrus celebrated her 18th birthday party with pals Demi Moore and Rumer Willis, and Justin Bieber stole the show at the American Music Awards, taking home four prizes.
Malin Akerman replaced Lindsay Lohan as Linda Lovelace in the much-hyped Inferno, Leonardo DiCaprio was caught up in a mid-air drama when a plane he was flying to Russia in was forced to make an emergency landing after an engine stalled, and there was drama backstage at hit U.S. TV show Dancing With The Stars as studio staff came across an envelope containing a mysterious white powder intended for contestant Bristol Palin - it turned out to be talc!
Emmy Rossum and Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz split, Jennifer Jason Leigh filed for divorce from filmmaker husband Noah Baumbach, and Ugly Betty actor Michael L. Brea was charged with murder after stabbing his mother with a Samurai sword. Willie Nelson was arrested and charged with drug possession, indie movie Winter's Bone became a big Oscars contender after claiming top prizes at the Stockholm and Gotham Film Festivals, and the Spider-Man musical opened on Broadway after a series of delays - the critics largely hated it.
Meanwhile, David Cassidy pleaded not guilty to DUI charges following his arrest in Florida, Uma Thurman's stalker was arrested after violating a restraining order, and AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was convicted of cannabis possession in New Zealand.
The baby news of the month came from the Travoltas as movie star John and his wife Kelly Preston welcomed Benjamin into the world and the proud new parents list for November also featured Stella McCartney, Ne-Yo, Vera Farmiga, Green Day star Mike Dirnt and actress Emilia Fox, while rocker Chris Daughtry became a dad to twins.
The music world mourned the loss of Australian rocker James Freud who died just days after his band Models were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
And it was a sad month for Hollywood as movie mogul Dino De Laurentiis passed away alongside actresses Ingrid Pitt and Jill Clayburgh and Naked Gun star Leslie Nielsen.
The film world also bid farewell to The Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner and revered Italian filmmaker Mario Monicelli.
December
December saw a series of scandals as the stars brought a touch of sex and drugs to the festive season - and wildchild Miley Cyrus led the way. The former Disney star ended 2010 by reminding us all she's a grown up now after she was caught on camera smoking legal hallucinogenic Salvia from a bong, and hit headlines again days later when she was pictured in a girl-on-girl clinch and exposing her bra while surrounded by hunky men.
Her pal Demi Lovato joined the Hannah Montana star in scandal when provocative photos which appeared to show her partly-exposing her breasts leaked on the internet, and Christina Aguilera's reps vowed to hunt down computer hackers who leaked nearly-nude photos of the Beautiful hitmaker.
Pink Floyd rocker David Gilmour told of his shame after his son was arrested for clambering over a war memorial during student riots in London, and Hulk Hogan's wedding to Jennifer McDaniel descended into chaos when cops were called to break up a clash between a bodyguard and a photographer.
Love was in the air for Reese Witherspoon, who got engaged to Hollywood agent Jim Toth, and also making wedding plans this month were Ginnifer Goodwin, Shania Twain, Kelsey Grammer, Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany, Poison rocker Bret Michaels, and Hugh Hefner. And it was double delight for Natalie Portman – the actress got engaged and announced she's pregnant by choreographer Benjamin Millepied. Meanwhile, Michael Sheen and Rachel McAdams became Hollywood's hottest new couple.
Actor Vince Vaughn became a father for the first time, and there were also new arrivals for Alanis Morissette, Ali Larter, and Elton John, who became a father at 63 after he and boyfriend David Furnish welcomed a son via a surrogate mother.
Nicole Richie had her father Lionel dancing on the ceiling when she wed Joel Madden, but other stars weren't so lucky in love - Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens ended their romance, Elizabeth Hurley confirmed her marriage split from Arun Nayar after she was linked to cricketer Shane Warne, rocker John Mellencamp split from his wife of 18 years, and Ryan Reynolds filed for divorce from Scarlett Johansson.
In the courts, KC and The Sunshine Band co-founder Richard R. Finch was jailed for seven years for sexually abusing young boys, Rip Torn was given a suspended jail term for his drunken bank break-in, and rapper DMX was sent to prison for a year for violating his probation by using drugs. In Florida, officials posthumously pardoned Jim Morrison over his infamous arrest for indecent exposure at a 1969 The Doors concert.
Meanwhile, Heather Locklear was hospitalised for a bacterial infection, Eminem was celebrating after landing 10 Grammy nominations, rap mogul Suge Knight was arrested after missing a court hearing, and exiled moviemaker Roman Polanski's The Ghost Writer was the big winner at the European Film Awards.
Lady Gaga was named Artist of the Year by Billboard magazine editors, veteran entertainers Dame Julie Andrews and Dolly Parton were announced as recipients of lifetime achievement Grammy awards at a special upcoming ceremony in 2011, and Natalie Portman's hopes of Oscar glory for her movie Black Swan received a major boost by landing a record 12 nominations for the 2011 Critics' Choice Movie Awards.
The showbiz world mourned the loss of jazz musicians Billy Taylor and James Moody, Pink Panther creator Blake Edwards, rocker Captain Beefheart, singer/songwriter Teena Marie, and Boney M star Bobby Farrell.
And it was a miserable end to 2010 for Taylor Momsen - the Gossip Girl star spent Christmas in Amsterdam, Holland - away from her family and friends in the U.S. - after she became stranded in Europe due to flights chaos following snowstorms across the continent.

Witherspoon and Toth began dating at the beginning of 2010, shortly after the actress split from Jake Gyllenhaal, and the couple have ended the year with an engagement.
Phillippe, who was married to the Legally Blonde star for seven years until they split in 2008, has congratulated his ex.
He tells the New York Daily News, "I'm very happy for both Reese and Jim. I wish nothing but the best for the mother of my children."
Witherspoon and Phillippe share 11-year-old daughter Ava and seven-year-old son Deacon.

Reese Witherspoon is engaged to agent Jim Toth. They've been dating since last January, shortly after Reese and Jake Gyllenhaal broke up. Toth's met her kids and done everything right, which means her lisp has finally become the most interesting thing about her. - People
55 year old Kelsey Grammer also confirmed his engagement to 29 year old Kayte Walsh. He said "Kayte and I are marrying because we are engaged, and we are engaged because we are in love and see no reason to postpone our happiness any longer. We are planning something we wish to be a private affair among several of our friends. Anything else is conjecture and false. Kayte and I are the only reliable source for this story. End of story." Oh really Kelsey? You're getting married because you're engaged? Are you sure it's not because you're a desperate piece of crap who doesn't even get out of his car when he's picking up his daughter from the train station in the Hamptons? - EW
Calm yourself: Ashton Kutcher is training for armageddon. - Huffpo

The Gavin &amp; Stacey funnyman has been dating Julia Carey since last year (09) and announced in September (10) they are expecting their first baby together in the New Year (11).
And Corden cemented their relationship with a romantic Christmas proposal, reports Britain's Daily Mirror.
A source tells the publication, "James has been plotting the proposal for four months and wanted it to be perfect.
"He had a ring specially cut... and put it in a box at the bottom of her stocking right next to the satsuma and chocolate coins. Jules was thrilled and burst into tears when she discovered it. It was all very romantic. She has accepted and they have flown to the Maldives to celebrate."
Corden hinted at his festive joy on Twitter.com, posting: "Happy christmas everyone. All the love... Now that's what I call Christmas 2010."
Lily Allen is also rumoured to have become engaged to her boyfriend Sam Cooper on Christmas Day, while Reese Witherspoon, LeAnn Rimes, Natalie Portman, Hugh Hefner, Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Mraz are among the celebrities who have announced engagements in the last week.

The star began dating Toth at the beginning of 2010 shortly after she and Jake Gyllenhaal split, and now her publicist has confirmed the Oscar winner is planning a second trip up the aisle.
Witherspoon and actor Ryan Phillippe divorced in 2008.
The actress joins Leann Rimes, Natalie Portman, Hugh Hefner, Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Mraz among the celebrities who have announced engagements in the last week, and unconfirmed reports suggest singer Lily Allen has also accepted boyfriend Sam Cooper's proposal over Christmas.

Portrayed Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star in the film adaptation of Sara Gruen's novel "Water for Elephants"

Raised in Nashville, TN

Starred as a Southern girl who remakes herself as a New York socialite in "Sweet Home Alabama"

Co-starred with Vince Vaughn in the holiday comedy "Four Christmases"

Co-starred in CBS miniseries "Return to Lonesome Dove"

Played the daughter of Gene Hackman and Susan Sarandon in Robert Benton's "Twilight"

Played Cecily Cardew in a film remake of "The Importance of Being Earnest"

Acted in Marshall Herskowitz's "Jack the Bear"

Surpassed Julia Roberts to become the highest paid actress of all time

Co-starred with Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson and Jack Nicholson in James L. Brooks' "How Do You Know"

Portrayed June Carter Cash opposite Joaquin Phoenix in "Walk the Line," a biopic of country music legend Johnny Cash directed by James Mangold

Summary

Oscar and Golden Globe-winning actress Reese Witherspoon made her mark as a smart, driven and self-respecting actress who refused to take the easy road to stardom with mindless teen flicks and broad comedies. Her sturdy Southern upbringing by an academic family was evident in the focus and confidence she brought to her first starring film role at the age of 14. Uncommon comedic talent paired with her high energy and charismatic spirit first caught critical notice in 1996's indie cult hit "Election," and by 2001, she assumed the role of one of the few leading ladies who could open a film with her delightfully cheeky turn in "Legally Blonde." Her commitment to "real" women characters rendered the occasional lackluster comedy like "Sweet Home Alabama" (2002) watchable, but Witherspoon proved herself to be a serious dramatic contender with her overwhelmingly acclaimed portrayal of June Carter Cash in "Walk the Line" (2005), for which she won a much deserved Oscar. Off-screen, her marriage to fellow actor Ryan Phillippe seemed to echo the perfection of all other aspects of her world, but the couple shocked the public in 2006 when - after two children and many years together, by Hollywood standards - they separated amidst rumors of his infidelity. Ever the fighter and self-professed type-A personality, Witherspoon picked up the pieces with class and discretion, and continued on with her highly bankable career.

Met at Witherspoon's 21st birthday party; Announced their engagement ; Acted together in "Cruel Intentions" (1999); Married on a plantation in Charleston, SC; Witherspoon filed for divorce a week after they announced their separation; Divorce finalized

Was a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army reserves; later became an ear-nose-throat specialist

Betty Witherspoon

Mother

Had a Ph.D in pediatric nursing

John Witherspoon

Brother

Older

Education

Name

Stanford University

Harding Academy

Harpeth Hall School

Notes

"It's tough making movies. Six months out of the year I live entirely with strange adults, and then I come home to Tennessee and live with my parents for the rest of the year, just trying to be a normal kid." – Witherspoon to Movieline, March 1994

"I've argued with lots of directors, because they pay you to come in and give your two cents about your character. It's going to be you up there on the screen and you should know better than anybody what you're doing." – Witherspoon quoted in Interview, November 1994

"I read the script for 'Twilight' and I really loved it. I ran into Robert Benton, the director, and I said, 'I really want to do your movie. It's the best script I've read and the one movie I want to make this year. I'll either make this movie or go back to Stanford, it's up to you.' I read for him several times, and it just sort of fell into place. I'm sure most people thought it was because of the work I had previously done, but he never saw 'Freeway', he never saw 'The Man in the Moon', he never saw anything I had done. He still hasn't as far as I know." – Witherspoon, quoted in Detour magazine, February 1998

On Tracy Flick, her blindly ambitious character in "Election": "Tracy for any actress is irresistible. She was like so many people I knew and grew up with. Everyone knows one of those horrible people that you want to kill because they're so perfect and you can't. This character is for all intents and purposes likeable. But you just can't stand her." – quoted to The Boston Herald, May 3, 1999

Quoted in an (Oct. 28, 1998) article in USAToday, "Pleasantville" writer/director Gary Ross called Witherspoon "funny and lovely, a throwback to stars like Carole Lombard and Rosalind Russell. She's a phenomenally talented comedian. There's a real life force to her, and an intelligence that many young actresses don't have."

"I don't f*ck around. I don't think it's a joke that people put up $20 million to finance a movie. I show up. I know my lines." – Witherspoon on her work ethic, quoted in Premiere magazine, August 2001

"Filmmaking is a collaborative process. I have things to add, and whether someone chooses to use them is their prerogative. But I'm not going to shut up, I have a lot to say, and I don't let anybody give me any shit. I have earned the right to have an opinion, so when people don't listen to me, I get a little pissed off." – Witherspoon to Premiere magazine, August 2001

"To be able to call people and say, 'I think you're the greatest. Will you please come work with me?' It's a new moment in my life." – Witherspoon quoted to The Los Angeles Times, Sept. 29, 2002

"I'm very lucky to have a very great team of people that sort of help me make decisions, help me schedule my life, that kind of thing. But also, yeah, I think it's also about loving what you do and I think people see that and I think they can tell in a film if you're having a lot of fun and enjoying yourself, or if you're just sort of miserable and sleepwalking. I really love what I do. I have a great passion for it." – Witherspoon on her success to Filmforce.ign.com, June 30, 2003

"There's no dumb blonde in her. This is a brilliant blonde who was very focused and mature at a very early age. She was always very confident and driven." – Director Garry Ross to Vanity Fair magazine, September 2004

"There's something about overt sexuality. Like it's scatological or something! I'm all about trying to make movies that have nothing to do with my body. I'm prudish and nervous. I don't have the excuse that my grandmother is watching anymore, but she's watching! It makes me nervous when I see a woman with her midriff showing. I would never do that on purpose, and if it happened by accident I'd be mortified. I feel threatened by woman who ...eeewwww! Like women on the cover of hootchy-kootchy magazines! The way I was brought up, I wasn't allowed to wear black, and I wasn't allowed to wear bikinis. And I was only allowed to wear two shades of lipstick, peach or pink. It was all about what was 'appropriate.'" – Witherspoon quoted to Vanity Fair magazine, September 2004

"Who is so arrogant and vain that they don't want people to know they're real or human? That they're fallible? We are all just people. That's part of what's amazing about being an actor. It's about compassion and deep feeling for other people's pain or struggle or drive. I never feel above them. I never feel beneath them. That's probably what led me to this profession." – Witherspoon to Interview magazine, December/January 2006

"There is something in the zeitgeist right now about woman waiting to portray themselves as stupid. I don't know if these woman are actresses or singers or whatever they are, but I know they're not stupid. It irritates me that the sort of fad that 'stupidity is cute' might really be doing some serious damage. It's the cheap answer, and let's hope that their moment fades. Sorry, but I have a little girl." – Witherspoon quoted to W magazine, February 2006

"Actors have this influence – people ask about our clothes and things like that," she says. "I don't want my politics to become part of that. It's personal to me." – Witherspoon to Entertainment Weekly, Aug. 24, 2007

In September 2011, Witherspoon suffered minor injuries when she was hit by a car while jogging in Santa Monica, CA. The driver of the car, an 84-year-old woman who'd been traveling about 20 mph, was cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The actress was taken to a hospital for treatment, and by the afternoon, was resting comfortably at her home in Brentwood, CA. Witherspoon did not press charges against the 84-year-old driver.

In March 2012, it was announced Witherspoon's Type A Film has merged with producer Bruna Papandrea's Make Movies to create a new production banner named Pacific Standard.